Mayor Brett Smiley delivered his budget address for fiscal 2027 to the Providence City Council, local leaders and community members on Wednesday.
The budget of nearly 636-million-dollars budget is close to two-percent higher than last year's, but it represents the smallest budget increase in five years. The budget provides new funding for housing measures and elevates city services without raising taxes or increasing fines.
Mayor Smiley says difficult decisions had to be made in to avoid tax increases, including minimizing operating costs, reducing spending, and learning to do more with less.
The City Council's finance committee will be holding hearings on the budget over the next few weeks and there will also be public hearings.
The budget must be passed twice before it's sent to the mayor's desk. for him to sign by the start of the fiscal year July 1st.
(Photo: Providence Mayor's Office)